Electric pendulum clock and parts therefor or the like

ABSTRACT

An electric clock having an electrically operated clock mechanism driving a drive means operatively interconnected to a pivotally mounted pendulum whereby the drive means is adapted to cause continuous to-and-fro movement of the pendulum as long as the clock mechanism is continuously operating, the drive means comprising an escapement wheel that is driven by the clock mechanism in one direction to impart swinging movement of the pendulum in one direction until the stop means of the pendulum stops movement of the escapement wheel so that a torsion spring can subsequently cause movement of the escapement wheel in its one direction after the pendulum has pivoted a certain amount in its other direction.

Marquis 1451 July 24, 1973 ELECTRIC PENDULUM CLOCK AND PARTS THEREFOR ORTHE LIKE [75 inventor:

[73] Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company,

Richmond, Va.

Apr. 16, 1971 Edgar E. Marquis, Newtown, Conn.

[22] Filed:

[21] Appl. No.: 134,853

[52] US. Cl. 58/29, 58/129 51 Int. Cl G04e 3 02 [58] Field of Search58/26 A, 29-31, 58/129, 132, 152 H [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATESPATENTS Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson AssistantExaminerEdith C. Simmons Jackmon Attorney-Condor, Candor & Tassone [57]ABSTRACT An electric clock having an electrically operated clockmechanism driving a drive means operatively interconnected to apivotally mounted pendulum whereby the drive means is adapted to causecontinuous to-und-fro movement of the pendulum as long as the clockmechanism is continuously operating, the drive means comprising anescapement wheel that is driven by the clock mechanism in one directionto impart swinging movement of the pendulum in one direction until thestop means of the pendulum stops movement of the escapement wheel sothat a torsion spring can subsequently cause movement of the escapementwheel in its one direction after the pendulum has pivoted a certainamount in its other direction.

17 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 3.747. 332

' SEE! 1 BF 3 v INVENTOR.

EDGAR E. MARQUIS BY I flaw $445M 3 ms ATTORNEYS Pmmmmw 3.147. 332

sum 2 or 3 INVENTOR. EDGAR E. MARQUIS BY FIG.6 v ,Mr7;-M

HIS ATTORNEYS Pmmiumm SHEEI 3 0F 3 FIG. IO

INVENTOR. EDGAR E. MARQUIS HIS ATTORNEY;

ELECTRIC PENDULUM CLOCK AND PARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE This inventionrelates to an electric clock having a pendulum driven thereby as well asto improved parts for such a clock or the like.

It is well known that electric clocks have been provided in the pastwhich will drive a pendulum to-andfro to simulate a pendulum operatedclock mechanism.

It is a feature of this invention to provide an improved electricclock'of the pendulum driving type.

Another feature of this invention is to provide such a clock wherein themovement of the pendulum emits a tick-tock sound.

Another feature of this invention is to provide such a clock wherein ifthe power current to the clock is interrupted for a period of a fewseconds or more, the movement of the pendulum will stop and will remainin a stopped condition even if the power is subsequently reapplied-tothe clock motor so that the non-moving pendulum will give a warning tothe viewer that there has been a power interruption and that the clockis not displaying the correct time.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a drive means for thependulum which permits the pendulum to be of a construction that neednot be precisely of a particular length or of an exacting weight to beatprecisely for time keeping purposes.

In particular, one embodiment of this invention provides a frame meanscarrying a pendulum pivotally mounted intermediate its opposed ends anda drive means interconnected to the electrically operated clockmechanism and operatively associated with one of the ends of thependulum to cause to-and-fro movementof the pendulum as the drive meansis being operated by the clock mecchanism. The drive means comprises ashaft rotatably carried by the frame means and has an escapementwheelfixed thereto. A pinion gear is rotatably carried by the shaft andis disposed in meshing engagement with a drive gear of the clockmechanism so as to be continuously rotated in one direction by the clockmechanism as long as the clock mechanism is operating. A torsion springhas a first coiled portion disposed tightly in one direction about a hubof the, pinion gear and asecond coiled portion disposed v:looselyin theopposite direction about the hub and interconnected to the escapementwheel. In this manner, the second portion of the torsion spring windstighter as the pinion is being rotated in its one direction and causesthe second portion to loosen on the hub whereby the escapement wheel canescape from its driving connection withthepinion gear. The one end ofthe pendulum carries'two abutment means that cooperate with theescapement wheel so that as the esvcapement wheel is being moved in onedirection, the

same operates on one of the stop means to swing the pendulum in onedirection until the other stop means thereof engages the escapementwheel to stop rotation thereof as well as to stop movement of thependulum in its one direction. Subsequently, the pendulum begins toswing by gravity in its opposite direction releasing the escapementwheel whereby the force of the torsion spring again moves the escapementwheel in its rotational direction to engage the first stop means of thependulum and reverse the swinging action thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedelectric clock andpendulum arrangement having one or more of the novelfeatures set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved parts for such aclock or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved electric clock-and pendulumarrangement of this invention with the clock casing removed.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary front view of the clock means of FIG.1 with a-frame plate thereof removed.

FIG. 3 is a side view, partially in cross section, taken substantiallyon line 3of FIG. 2 and illustrating the clock casing in dash dottedlines.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view takensubstantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIg. 4 and illustrates the parts thereof inelevation.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrates theescapement wheel operating against one end of the pivotally mountedpendulum.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and illustrates another operatingposition of the escapement wheel and pendulum.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and illustrates still anotheroperating position of the escapement wheel and pendulum.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the escapement wheel and drivemeans of the structure of FIG. 5

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 5 and illustrates another embodimentof this invention.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter describedand illustrated as being particularly adapted for providing pendulummeans for an electric clock, it is to be understood that the variousfeatures of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combinationthereof with other clock mechanisms as desired, such as spring woundclock mechanisms and the like.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the improved electric clock of thisinvention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 andcomprises a frame means 21 adapted to be supported in a conventionalclock casing 22, an electrically operated clock motor 23 and a pendulum24 projecting through a suitable slot (not shown) in the casing 22 so asto permit the to-and-fro motion of the pendulum 24 as illustrated inFIG. 1.

The frame means 21 includes a main frameplate 25 having the clock motor23 mounted on one side thereof and a conventional gear train means 26 onthe other side thereof which is operatively interconnected to the driveshaft 27 of the electric motor 23 to produce the timing rotationalmovement of the shaft means 28 that projects through suitable openingmeans 29 in another frame plate 30 attached in any suitable manner tothe main frame plate 25 and supporting the gear train means 26therebetween, the timing shaft means 28 being interconnected in aconventional manner to clock hands and therefore need not be furtherdescribed.

However, the conventional gear train means 26 includes a gear wheel 31which operatively interconnects the clock mechanism 26 to a drive means32 of this invention which is operatively associated with the pendulum24 to provide to-and-fro movement of the pendulum 24 in a mannerhereinafter described.

The pendulum 24 comprises a pendulum rod 33 having opposed ends 34 and35 and carrying a suitable weight means 36 adjacent the lower end 35thereof in a conventional manner. The pendulum 24 is pivotally mountedto the frame means 21 intermediate the ends 34 and 35 of the rod means33 and in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings carries a shaftmeans 37 fixed thereto with the shaft means 37 having its opposed ends38 and 39 journaled respectively in suitable openings 40 and 41 of theframe plates 25 and 30 so that the shaft means 37 and pendulum 24 willpivot in unison relative to the frame means 21. t The upper end 34 ofthe pendulum 24 carries two outwardly directed rods or stop means 42 and43 adapted to cooperate with an escapement wheel 44 of the drive means32 now to be described.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4, and 9, the drive means 32 includes a shaft 45having the escapement wheel 44 fixed thereto and having its opposed ends46 and 47 respectively journaled in suitable openings 48 and 49 in theframe plates 25 and 30 so that the shaft 45 and escapement wheel 44 movein unison relative to the frame means 21. A pinion gear 50 is rotatablymounted on the shaft 45 and has its gear teeth 51 disposed in meshingengagement with the gear 31 of the clock mechanism 26 so as to becontinuously rotated in a counterclockwise direction as illustrated inFIG. 2 as long as the timer motor 23 is driving the gear 31 in aclockwise direction in FIG. 2.

A torsion spring 52 has afirst coiled portion 53 disposed tightly in onedirection about ah'ub 54 of the pinion gear 50 and a second coiledportion 55 disposed loosely in the opposite direction about the hub 54and being interconnected at its right-hand end 55' to the escapementwheel 44 by being bent through an opening 55' of the escapement wheel44.

In this manner, as the pinion gear 50 is being driven ,by the clockmechanism 26, the same, through the torsion spring 52, tends to rotatethe escapement wheel 44 .in unison therewith in the samecounterclockwise direction as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. However, ifany restraint is placed on the escapment wheel 44 to tend to oppose suchrotation thereof, the rotation of the pinion gear50 causes theright-hand coiled portion 55 of the torsion spring 52 to wind tighterwhich, in turn, not only stores energy therein but also tends to causethe left-hand coiled portion 53 thereof to unwind on the hub 54 andthereby loosen on the hub 54 so as to provide slippage between the gearhub 54 and the torsion spring 52 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The escapement wheel 44 is provided with a plurality of teeth 56 aboutthe outer periphery thereof with each tooth 56 having an arcuatelyshaped leading edge 57 which cooperates with the pins or stop means 42and 43 of the pendulum 24 in a manner hereinafter described. However,when the pendulum is at rest, the teeth 56 of the escapement wheel 44will not operate on the stop means 42 and 43 for a purpose hereinafterdescribed.

Therefore, it can be seen that the parts of this invention causing theelectrical clock 20 to simulate a pendulum operation therefor arerelatively simple to manlower end 35 to its maximum point to the rightas illustrated in FIG. 8, a particular tooth 56A of the escapement wheel44 has its leading edge 57A moved against the right-hand stop means 42so that not only can the pendulum 24 not have its lower end 35 movedfurther to the right in FIG. 8, but also the escapement wheel 44 cannotturn further in a counterclockwise direction until the windup tensionforce on the coiled part 55 of the torsion spring 52 overcomes theintertia of the pendulum 24 tending to oppose counterclockwise movementof the escapement wheel 44 and the pendulum begins to swing back to theleft whereby the escapement 44 will begin to again move in acounterclockwise direction with the tooth 56A acting against the stop 42to drive the upper end 34 of the pendulum 24 to the right while thelower end 35 thereof swings to the left as illustrated in FIG. 6.However, when the pendulum 24 has its lower end 35 moving to the left tothe position illustrated in FIG. 7, it can be seen that the lefthandstop means 43 thereof abuts against another tooth 56B of the escapementwheel 44 at the leading edge 57B thereof to not only cause the pendulum24 to cease swinging to the left, but also to stop rotation of theescapement wheel 44 in its counterclockwise direction until after theinertia of the pendulum 24 changes direction and the weight 36 of thependulum 24 will begin to swing the lower end 35 of the pendulum back tothe right until the right-hand stop means 42 again hits another tooth 56of the escapement wheel 44 as previously described in connection withFIG. 8.

However, during the initial movement of the lower end 35 of the pendulum24 back to the right from the position illustrated in FIG. 7, theescapement wheel 44 will remain stationary until the stop means 43clears away from the tooth 56B. Prior to this time, the continuouslyrotating pinion gear 50 has caused the right hand coiled portion 55 ofthe torsion coil 52 to wind tightly so as to not only store energytherein, but also to cause the left-hand portion 53 thereof to unwindand slip on the hub 54 of the pinion 50 and thereby permit theescapement wheel 44 to escape and move in a counterclockwise directionunder the force of, the wound right-hand coiled portion 55 of the spring52 until such movement is again prevented means 42 as illustrated inFIG. 8.

Thus, as the pendulum 24 swings to-and-fro in the above manner, theengagements between the stop means 42 and 43 thereof with the escapementwheel 44 provides an audible tick-took sound.

Also, once the pendulum 24 has been set in motion and is being actedupon by the escapement wheel 44 under the continuously rotating piniongear 50 in the manner previously described, the pendulum 24 will becontinuously driven to-and-fro in the manner previously described.However, should the clock motor 23 be turned off, either manually, or bya temporary power failure, the pendulum 24 will come to rest in a fewseconds so that should the timer motor 23 be thereafter turned on eithermanually or by a restoring of the power supply, the pendulum 24 will notbe driven in its by the stop to-and-fro movement as previously describedbecause the escapement wheel 44 has its s teeth 56 so constructed andarranged relative to the stop means 42 and 43 of the pendulum 24, thatthe same clears such pins 42 and 43 when the pendulum 24 is in its atrest posi- I tion and the escapement wheel 44 is being driven by thedrive means 32.

Therefore, once the timer motor 23 is again operating, the pendulum 24must be initially manually set into motion so that the escapement wheel44 will continue such motion continuously thereafter.

Accordingly, should the user of the electric clock 20 see that thependulum 24 is in an at rest position, either the power source is off orthe power source was temporarily in an off condition so that the clockis not reporting the proper time whereby the user of the clock 20 willbe alterted to make a readjustment in the time setting of the clock 20.

In this manner, the pendulum 24 need not be precisely of a particularlength or of an exacting weight to beat precisely for time keepingpurposes, the pendulum 24 merely being so constructed and arranged thatthe same does not swing faster than the pinion 50 is winding the torsionspring 52 to keep sufficient energy stored for the operation of theescapement wheel 44 in the manner previously described. Of course,ideally, the twowould be equal whereby there would be no slippingbetween the pinion 50 and the left-hand portion 53 of the tension spring52, but due to manufacturing policies, the pendulum 24 should bedesigned to swing slower than the rotation of the windup pinion 50.

Another drive means of this invention is generally indicated by thereference numeral 32A in FIG. for the same purpose as the drive means 32whereby the parts of the clock A in FIG. 10 that are similar to thepartsof the clock 20 previously described are indicated by likereference numerals followed by the reference letter A.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the pendulum 24A is pivotally mounted to theframe plates 25A and A by the shaft means 37A in the manner previouslydescribed "previously described. A pinion gear 58 is provided for thedrive means 32A and is also free to rotate on the shaft 45A. Africtionclutch 59 is provided to operatively interconnect the pinion gear 58 tothe shaft 45A, the friction clutch 59 comrpising a disc 60 secured tothe shaft 45A and a beveled spring member 61 disposed between the disc60 and the left-hand side 62 of the pinion gear 58 so that rotation ofthe pinion gear 58 by the clock mechanism of the clock 20A, such as by sa meshing gear similar to the gear 31 previously described, tends torotate the disc 60'and, thus, the shaft 45A in unison therewith.However, the friction clutch 59 will permit the shaft 45A to berestrained from rotation even though the pinion gear 58 is beingcontinuously driven in one rotational direction by the clock mechanism.

A torsion spring 63 has a left-hand coiled portion 64 thereof tightlywound on the shaft 45A and a righthand coiled portion 65 wound in thesame direction as the left-hand coiled portion 64 but loosely disposedabout the shaft 45A, the right-hand coiled portion 45 having itsright-hand end 66 interconnected to the escapement wheel 44A in the samemanner as the torsion spring 52.

Thus, as the pinion 58 is continuously rotated in a counterclockwisedirection when looking at the side 67 of the pinion gear 58, the samethrough the friction clutch 59 tends to rotate the shaft 45A therewithand as the shaft 45A is rotating, the left-hand coiled portion 64 of thetorsion spring 63 tightly grips the shaft 45A to tend to also rotate inunison therewith and carry the escapement wheel 44A in the samedirection. However, when the escapement wheel 44A is restrained fromrotating in unison with the shaft 45A in the same manner as theescapement wheel 44 under the influence of the pendulum 24A, thecontinuing of the rotation of the shaft 45A winds up the right-handcoiled portion 65 of the spring 63 to store energy for the subsequentrotation of the escapement wheel 44A in the same manner as the torsionspring 32 previously described.

Thus, even though the pinion gear 58 rotates at a constant speed by theclock motor, the escapement wheel 34A rotates intermittently to providethe to-andfro movement of the pendulum 24A, the tick-took sound and theindication, of a temporary power failure in the same manner as theescapement wheel 44 previously described.

Further, it can be seen that in both embodiments of this invention,should a child or the like hold the pendulum 24 or 24A in a positionthat the same prevents movement of the escapement wheel 44 or 44A, thetorsion spring 52 of the drive means 32 permits the pinion gear 50 to becontinuously rotated without putting an adverse strain on the clockmechanism and the friction clutch 59 of the drive means 32A permits thepinion gear 58 to be continuously driven without imposing an adverseforce on the clock mechanism.

Thus, it can be seen that thisinvention not only provides an improvedelectrical clock and pendulum arrangement, but also this inventionprovides improved parts for such a clock or the like.

What is claimed is:

1. An electric clock comprising a frame means, an electrically operatedclock mechanism carried by said frame means, a pendulum having opposedends and being pivotally carried by said frame means intermediate saidopposed ends, and drive means carried by said frame means and beingoperatively interconnected to said clock mechanism to be driven thereby,said drive means being operatively associated with one of said ends ofsaid pendulum to be adapted to impart continuous to-and-fro pivotalmovement of said pendulum as long as said drive means is being driven bysaid clock mechanism and said pendulum is not being restrained from itsto-and-fro movement whereby said electric clock continuously gives theappearance that the same is pendulum operated, said drive meanscomprising an escapement member adapted to be driven in one direction bysaid clock mechanism and being adapted to act on said one end of saidpendulum.

2. An electric clock as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive meansand said one end of said pendulum cooperate together to provide anaudible tick-took sound as said pendulum is being pivoted by said drivemeans.

3. An electric clock comprising a frame means, an electrically operatedclock mechanism carried by said frame means, a pendulum having opposedends and being pivotally carried by said frame means intermediate saidopposed ends, and drive means carried by said frame means and beingoperatively interconnected to said clock mechanism to be driven thereby,said drive means being operatively associated with one of said ends ofsaid pendulum to impart to-and-fro pivotal movement of said pendulum assaid drive means is being driven by said clock mechanism, said drivemeans and said one end of said pendulum being so constructed andarranged that if said pendulum is in an at rest position said drivemeans will not cause said toand-fro pivotal movement of said pendulumeven though said clock mechanism is driving said drive means until saidpendulum is manually set in motion.

4. An electric clock as set forth in claim 3 wherein once said drivemeans is imparting to-and-fro pivotal movement of said pendulum saiddrive means will continuously impart said to-and-fro pivotal movement aslong as said drive means is driven continuously be said clock mechanism.

5. An electric clock comprising a frame means, an electrically operatedclock mechanism carried by said frame means, a pendulum having opposedends and being pivotally carried by said frame means intermediate saidopposed ends, and drive means carried by said frame means and beingoperatively interconnected to said clock mechanism to be driven thereby,said drive means being operatively associated with one of said ends ofsaid pendulum to impart to-and-fro pivotal movement of said pendulum assaid drive means is being driven by said clock mechanism, said drivemeans comprising an escapement member adapted to be driven in onedirection by said clock mechanism and being adapted to act on said oneend of said pendulum, said escapement means when being moved in said onedirection by said clock mechanism being adapted to move said pendulum inone pivotal direction, said pendulum having stop means to stop themovement of said escapement member in said one direction when saidpendulum has been moved a certain amount in said one pivotal direction.

6. An electric clock as set forth in claim 5 wherein said drive meanshas means for moving said escapement member in said one directionthereof independently of said clock mechanism after said pendulum movesin the opposite pivotal direction thereof of a certain amount by gravitysubsequent to its stopping of said movement of said escapement member.

7. An electric clock as set forth in claim 6 wherein said escapementmember has means for engaging another stop means of said pendulum aftersaid pendulum has pivoted in said opposite direction thereof a certainamount to stop the pivotal movement of said pendulum in said oppositedirection and cause pivotal movement thereof in said one direction.

8. An electric clock as set forth in claim 7 wherein said drive meanscomprises a shaft rotatablycarried by said frame means, said escapementmember comprising an escapement wheel fixed to said shaft, a pinion gearrotatably carried by said shaft, said pinion gear being drivencontinuously by said clock mechanism in one rotational direction as longas said clock mechanism is being electrically operated and having a hub,said means for moving said escapement member in said one directioncomprising a torsion spring having a first coiled portion disposedtightly in one direction about said hub and a second coiled portiondisposed loosely in the opposite direction about said hub andinterconnected to said escapement wheel, said second portion windingtighter as said pinion is being rotated in its said one direction andcausing said second portion to loosen on said hub.

9. An electric clock as set forth in claim 9 wherein said drive meanscomprises a shaft rotatably carried by said frame means and rotatablycarrying a pinion gear that is continuously driven in one rotationaldirection by said clock mechanism as long as said clock mechanism isbeing electrically operated, friction clutch means interconnectingsaid-pinion gear to said shaft, said escapement member comprises anescapement wheel rotatably carried by said shaft, said means for movingsaid escapement member in said one direction comprising a coiled torsionspring having a first coiled portion disposed tightly in one directionabout said shaft and a second coiled portion disposed loosely about saidshaft in said one direction and being interconnected to said escapementwheel, said second portion winding tighter as said pinion gear rotatessaid shaft through said friction clutch in said one rotationaldirection.

10. An electric clock comprising a frame means, an electrically operatedclock mechanism carried by said frame means, a pendulum movably carriedby said frame means, and drive means carried by said frame means andbeing operatively interconnected to said clock mechanism to be driventhereby, said drive means being operatively associated with saidpendulum to impart toand-fro movement of said pendulum as said drivemeans is being driven by said clock mechanism, said drive means and saidpendulum being so constructed and arranged that if said pendulum is inan at rest position thereof said drive means cannot cause saidto-and-fro movement of said pendulum even though said clock mechanism isdriving said drive means until said pendulum is manually set in motion acertain amount.

11. An electric clock as set forth in claim 10 wherein once said drivemeans is imparting to-and-fro movement of said pendulum said drive meanswill continuously impart said to-and-fro movement as long as said drivemeans is driven continuously by said clock mechanism.

12. An electric clock as set forth in claim lZ wherein said drive meansand said pendulum cooperate together to provide an audible tick-tocksound as said pendulum is being moved to-and-fro by said drive means.

13. A clock comprising a frame means, a driving clock mechanism carriedby said frame means, a pendulum movably carried by said frame means, anddrive means carried by said frame means and being opera tivelyinterconnected to said clock mechanism to be driven thereby, said drivemeans being operatively as sociated with said pendulum to impartto-and-fro movement of said pendulum as said drive means is being drivenby said clock mechanism, said drive means having an escapement memberadapted to be driven in one direction by said clock mechanism to impartmovement to said pendulum in one of its directions, said pendulum havingstop means to stop the movement of said escapement member in its saidone direction when said pendulum has been moved a certain amount in itssaid one direction.

14. A clock as set forth in claim 13 wherein said drive means has meansfor moving said escapement member in said one direction thereofindependently of said clock mechanism after said pendulum moves in itsopposite direction a certain amount by gravity subsequent to itsstopping of said movement of said escapement member.

15. A clock as set forth in claim 14 wherein said escapement member hasmeans for engaging another stop means of said pendulum after saidpendulum has moved in said opposite direction thereof a certain amountto stop the movement of said pendulum in said opposite direction andcause movement thereof in its said one direction.

16. A clock as set forth in claim 15 wherein said drive means comprisesa shaft rotatably carried by said frame means, said escapement membercomprising an escapement wheel fixed to said shaft, a pinion gearrotatably carried by said shaft, said pinion gear being drivencontinuously by said clock mechanism in one rotational direction as longas said clock mechanism is operating and having a hub, said means formoving said escapement member in said one direction comprising a torsionspring having a first coiled portion disposed tightly in one directionabout said hub and a second coiled portion disposed loosely in theopposite direction about said hub and interconnected to said escapementwheel, said second portion winding tighter as said pinion is beingrotated in its said one direction and causing said second portion toloosen on said hub.

17. A clock as set forth in claim 15 wherein said drive means comprisesa shaft rotatably carried by said frame means and rotatably carrying apinion gear that is continuously driven in one rotational direction bysaid clock mechanism as long as said clock mechanism is operating,friction clutch means interconnecting said pinion gear to said shaft,said escapement member comprising an escapement wheel rotatably carriedby said shaft, said means for moving said escapement member in said onedirection comprising a coiled torsion spring having a first coiledportion disposed tightly in one direction about said shaft and a secondcoiled portion disposed loosely about said shaft in said one directionand being interconnected to said escapement wheel, said second portionwinding tighter as said pinion gear rotates said shaft through saidfriction clutch in said one rotational direction.

1. An electric clock comprising a frame means, an electrically operated clock mechanism carried by said frame means, a pendulum having opposed ends and being pivotally carried by said frame means intermediate said opposed ends, and drive means carried by said frame means and being operatively interconnected to said clock mechanism to be driven thereby, said drive means being operatively associated with one of said ends of said pendulum to be adapted to impart continuous to-and-fro pivotal movement of said pendulum as long as said drive means is being driven by said clock mechanism and said pendulum is not being restrained from its to-and-fro movement whereby said electric clock continuously gives the appearance that the same is pendulum operated, said drive means comprising an escapement member adapted to be driven in one direction by said clock mechanism and being adapted to act on said one end of said pendulum.
 2. An electric clock as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive means and said one end of said pendulum cooperate together to provide an audible ''''tick-tock'''' sound as said pendulum is being pivoted by said drive means.
 2. An electric clock as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive means and said one end of said pendulum cooperate together to provide an audible ''''tick-tock'''' sound as said pendulum is being pivoted by said drive means.
 3. An electric clock comprising a frame means, an electrically operated clock mechanism carried by said frame means, a pendulum having opposed ends and being pivotally carried by said frame means intermediate said opposed ends, and drive means carried by said frame means and being operatively interconnected to said clock mechanism to be driven thereby, said drive means being operatively associated with one of said ends of said pendulum to impart to-and-fro pivotal movement of said pendulum as said drive means is being driven by said clock mechanism, said drive means and said one end of said pendulum being so constructed and arranged that if said pendulum is in an at rest position said drive means will not cause said to-and-fro pivotal movement of said pendulum even though said clock mechanism is driving said drive means until said pendulum is manually set in motion.
 4. An electric clock as set forth in claim 3 wherein once said drive means is imparting to-and-fro pivotal movement of said pendulum said drive means will continuously impart said to-and-fro pivotal movement as long as said drive means is driven continuously be said clock mechanism.
 5. An electric clock comprising a frame means, an electrically operated clock mechanism carried by said frame means, a pendulum having opposed ends and being pivotally carried by said frame means intermediate said opposed ends, and drive means carried by said frame means and being operatively interconnected to said clock mechanism to be driven thereby, said drive means being operatively associated with one of said ends of said pendulum to impart to-and-fro pivotal movement of said pendulum as said drive means is being driven by said clock mechanism, said drive means comprising an escapement member adapted to be driven in one direction by said clock mechanism and being adapted to act on said one end of said pendulum, said escapement means when being moved in said one direction by said clock mechanism being adapted to move said pendulum in one pivotal direction, said pendulum having stop means to stop the movement of said escapement member in said one direction when said pendulum has been moved a certain amount in said one pivotal direction.
 6. An electric clock as set forth in claim 5 wherein said drive means has Means for moving said escapement member in said one direction thereof independently of said clock mechanism after said pendulum moves in the opposite pivotal direction thereof of a certain amount by gravity subsequent to its stopping of said movement of said escapement member.
 7. An electric clock as set forth in claim 6 wherein said escapement member has means for engaging another stop means of said pendulum after said pendulum has pivoted in said opposite direction thereof a certain amount to stop the pivotal movement of said pendulum in said opposite direction and cause pivotal movement thereof in said one direction.
 8. An electric clock as set forth in claim 7 wherein said drive means comprises a shaft rotatably carried by said frame means, said escapement member comprising an escapement wheel fixed to said shaft, a pinion gear rotatably carried by said shaft, said pinion gear being driven continuously by said clock mechanism in one rotational direction as long as said clock mechanism is being electrically operated and having a hub, said means for moving said escapement member in said one direction comprising a torsion spring having a first coiled portion disposed tightly in one direction about said hub and a second coiled portion disposed loosely in the opposite direction about said hub and interconnected to said escapement wheel, said second portion winding tighter as said pinion is being rotated in its said one direction and causing said second portion to loosen on said hub.
 9. An electric clock as set forth in claim 9 wherein said drive means comprises a shaft rotatably carried by said frame means and rotatably carrying a pinion gear that is continuously driven in one rotational direction by said clock mechanism as long as said clock mechanism is being electrically operated, friction clutch means interconnecting said pinion gear to said shaft, said escapement member comprises an escapement wheel rotatably carried by said shaft, said means for moving said escapement member in said one direction comprising a coiled torsion spring having a first coiled portion disposed tightly in one direction about said shaft and a second coiled portion disposed loosely about said shaft in said one direction and being interconnected to said escapement wheel, said second portion winding tighter as said pinion gear rotates said shaft through said friction clutch in said one rotational direction.
 10. An electric clock comprising a frame means, an electrically operated clock mechanism carried by said frame means, a pendulum movably carried by said frame means, and drive means carried by said frame means and being operatively interconnected to said clock mechanism to be driven thereby, said drive means being operatively associated with said pendulum to impart to-and-fro movement of said pendulum as said drive means is being driven by said clock mechanism, said drive means and said pendulum being so constructed and arranged that if said pendulum is in an at rest position thereof said drive means cannot cause said to-and-fro movement of said pendulum even though said clock mechanism is driving said drive means until said pendulum is manually set in motion a certain amount.
 11. An electric clock as set forth in claim 10 wherein once said drive means is imparting to-and-fro movement of said pendulum said drive means will continuously impart said to-and-fro movement as long as said drive means is driven continuously by said clock mechanism.
 12. An electric clock as set forth in claim 12 wherein said drive means and said pendulum cooperate together to provide an audible ''''tick-tock'''' sound as said pendulum is being moved to-and-fro by said drive means.
 13. A clock comprising a frame means, a driving clock mechanism carried by said frame means, a pendulum movably carried by said frame means, and drive means carried by said frame means and being operatively interconnected to said clock mechanism to be driven thereby, said drive means being operatively associated with said penduLum to impart to-and-fro movement of said pendulum as said drive means is being driven by said clock mechanism, said drive means having an escapement member adapted to be driven in one direction by said clock mechanism to impart movement to said pendulum in one of its directions, said pendulum having stop means to stop the movement of said escapement member in its said one direction when said pendulum has been moved a certain amount in its said one direction.
 14. A clock as set forth in claim 13 wherein said drive means has means for moving said escapement member in said one direction thereof independently of said clock mechanism after said pendulum moves in its opposite direction a certain amount by gravity subsequent to its stopping of said movement of said escapement member.
 15. A clock as set forth in claim 14 wherein said escapement member has means for engaging another stop means of said pendulum after said pendulum has moved in said opposite direction thereof a certain amount to stop the movement of said pendulum in said opposite direction and cause movement thereof in its said one direction.
 16. A clock as set forth in claim 15 wherein said drive means comprises a shaft rotatably carried by said frame means, said escapement member comprising an escapement wheel fixed to said shaft, a pinion gear rotatably carried by said shaft, said pinion gear being driven continuously by said clock mechanism in one rotational direction as long as said clock mechanism is operating and having a hub, said means for moving said escapement member in said one direction comprising a torsion spring having a first coiled portion disposed tightly in one direction about said hub and a second coiled portion disposed loosely in the opposite direction about said hub and interconnected to said escapement wheel, said second portion winding tighter as said pinion is being rotated in its said one direction and causing said second portion to loosen on said hub.
 17. A clock as set forth in claim 15 wherein said drive means comprises a shaft rotatably carried by said frame means and rotatably carrying a pinion gear that is continuously driven in one rotational direction by said clock mechanism as long as said clock mechanism is operating, friction clutch means interconnecting said pinion gear to said shaft, said escapement member comprising an escapement wheel rotatably carried by said shaft, said means for moving said escapement member in said one direction comprising a coiled torsion spring having a first coiled portion disposed tightly in one direction about said shaft and a second coiled portion disposed loosely about said shaft in said one direction and being interconnected to said escapement wheel, said second portion winding tighter as said pinion gear rotates said shaft through said friction clutch in said one rotational direction. 